The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-21

one person out OF half dozen who called,
and he found himself with tall, dark man,
who was suitably enshrined in lofty dark
study.
'.Ha, Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray. rising.
Delighted to see you, sir; and yet-and
yet-Im always in rather tremble when
any one from the regiment calls, on account
of that scapegrace of son Of mine"
at is with reference to him that / have
come" said Smith.
''Then before you begin, please tell me
if am to prepare myself for bad news ~
said Lord Cray.
well, my Lord, it needn't be bad" re-
piled Smith. THAT is to say, it depends
upon the way you look at it"
"H'ml Depends upon me, does it, What
is iti' asked his lordship.
Hes in love with girl,r said cid Smith.
That's a regular epidemic with him,
Mr.. Smith," said Lord Cray. .'But II she's
a lady and all right don't care. Nothing
will steady him until he marries, and if, as
l said, she's-shem, of suitable position
of course, Mr.. Smith, we must be a little
exclusive-why, it's the very best thing he
can do"
"Well, my Lord, there's the difficulty"
said old Smith. ''She's lady by birth and
education, but from pressure of family cir
cumstances she has been obliged to get her
living in a milliner's shop"
"Milliner's shoprr exclaimed Lord Cray.
THAT is indeed a difficulty. The best of
birth and education handy balances the
shop, does it, ehi Confound him! And
the matters gone so far that you've come
TO see me about it. OF course you're a
great friend of his. / believe they call you
old Smith in the regiment, don't they!"
''Yes, take great interest in him and
in the girl,'' replied Smith; land I've taken
the liberty not only to speak pretty plainly
to your son, but to have the girl removed. "
''Then you've constituted yourself the
young lady's protector, Mr.. Smith, said
His Lordship. "But if the cause of the evil
is removed, why bother any more about itt
Why, sir, Robert has been in love-a score
of times to my knowledge; yet ne has sur
vived in each case. Why shouldn't he sur
vive in thisin
''Well, my Lord, you see the girl loves
him honestly and truly, and l conscien-
tiously believe that, in this instance, his
love is really genuine" replied Smith.
"True that she is out of his way now, but
l could not answer for the effect which such
a separation might have on him"
HIN! Well, of course, Lord Cray's son
mustn't marry girl in trade, although
Lord Cray himself does sell his game and
his fruit, and possesses coal wharf on the
Regents canal" said the no0leman. "Y ct
you say she's lady. Where is she, Capt
ain Smith,
with her father in the country" replied
the officer
''Who is hei What is hef" asked Lord
Cray.
''He is clergyman-the rector of poor
parish, with large family to bring up
upon a very insufficient income, so that he
has been obliged to send his daughter out
to get her own living in the world replied
old Smith.
The great man rose from his chair and
paced up and down the room for some mo-
ments in deep thought. At last he stopped
short and said:
Captain Smith, get the girl out of the
millinery business as soon as you can. OF
course am saying this upon the suppose
ton that you are so far acquainted with
her as to be able to do it. If money is
needed write me line here, and let the
young rascal pursue his suit. l don't know
how to thank you sufficiently for the trouble
formation you have given me, should as
suredly have treated the clandestine union
of my son with a milliner girl with the
greatest severity"
''Then may tell your son, my lord. that
and"
"The sooner he gets married the better,'
said Lord Cray.
Old Smith took his leave with beaming
face and arrived at FiIstone in time for
mess.
The Hon. Bob Topsham was there and
glared unutterable things at his brother
officer throughout the repast. Indeed, old
Smith could not help being conscious that
he was an object of genetal interest, and,
from the fact that conversation at the table
was more subdued than usual, although it
was guest night, he opined that during
his brief absence storm had been gather
ing which would presently burst upon his
head.
Immediately after dinner Smith, as was
his custom, rose and left the room, with
out taking any wine. Bob Topsham also
rose and followed him, and when he got
outside the door said, in voice which was
almost inarticulate with anger:
''Smith, are you going to apologize for
your behaviorl'
"Hullor' exclaimed Smith, laughing;
"that's rather good; sub of three years
standing making a cool request like that tc
a man fifteen years his senior!''
II don't care if you were fifty years nv
SENIOR" retorted the young officer. You've
behaved in a"
'Stop! stopr' cried old Smith, ''don't go
too far! Let me have wordi Come to
my roomsr'
Directly the door was closed behind
them, old Smith, without any preface,
said: "A1 you still in love with Oracle
Clough9''
''Of course 1 am" replied Bob, In amazt
ment. "But what's the use Of it now,
you've bolted with her! You've taken a
mean advantage of a fellow. You've b.
h;v d like a"
Steady, lad, steady" interposed olo
Smith, laying his hand gently on the
shoulder of the excited youngster cts
true I've taken her away, but l only did so
to enable meto do you good turn. You're
quite sure you love Oracle sufficiently to
make her good husband?"
why, of course 1 do" replied Bob.
looking inquiringly into the face of the
elder officer. "But say, Smith, what does
this all meanl What have you been doingi'
"Well, I've got your fathers consent to
your marriage with her, that's all, replied
old Smith.
You haver' gasped Bob Topsham. ''Do
you mean to say you have given her up to
mel You, who loved her as much as 1 did
You, whom I've been slanging right and
lett for doing what 1 thought was mean
action. Where is Graciel''
''At her father's-at my fathers house.
replied Smith.
Her fathers and your father'sr' re-
peated the young man. "Why, is she your
sister!'
Eyes; she is my sister," replied old